Before first anniversary of his White Sox debut, Colson Montgomery recalls his first big moment

CLEVELAND — One year ago Saturday, White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery made his major-league debut. The moment from that day that’s burned into his brain is one he’ll share with his grandchildren one day.

No, it wasn’t his over-the-shoulder, diving catch in short left field with his back to the batter.

“Probably the catcher’s interference,” Montgomery told the Sun-Times on Friday before the Sox’ rain-delayed game against the Guardians. “People can say the catch, too. I only remember the catcher’s interference.”

It wasn’t how most players would like to reach base for the first time in the majors, but Montgomery was happy with it nonetheless.

And he has been very happy with the 152 games that have followed. Since the 2025 All-Star break, Montgomery entered Friday ranked third in the majors with 42 home runs and fifth with 102 RBI. He’s the third player in Sox history with 20-plus homers in each of his first two seasons, joining Jose Abreu (2014-15) and Zeke Bonura (1934-35).

Montgomery also became the fastest player in Sox history to hit 40 homers (140 games) and the second-fastest left-handed hitter in major-league history, trailing only Cody Bellinger (136 games from 2017-18)

Montgomery credited his teammates and coaches for his success.

“Every day, we come in here, and we just work,” he said. “We’re staying disciplined. We’re doing everything that we need to do so we have those results of all the homers and all the accolades. I feel like coaches have been good getting on me about coming in and working each day. And I think that’s what has led to all that.”

Montgomery said he feels like he has been in the big leagues for two or three years but struggled to figure out why. When a reporter raised that a lot has happened in his year with the Sox, he said that was probably the answer.

“Last year, we weren’t particularly where we wanted to be, but now we’re thriving,” he said. “That changed so fast from where we were last year to where we are now. That may be why it’s felt like two, three years.”

Sox manager Will Venable thinks Montgomery can reach another level as a hitter.

“Just more contact,” Venable said. “He’s such a good hitter and obviously has so much power, just tap into that more consistently. It’s almost tough to say that because of how successful he has been, but he’s that good that he leaves you thinking that there’s another level to what he can do out there.”

The other Montgomery

Rookie right fielder Braden Montgomery extended his on-base streak to 12 games with a single in the second inning, though he was picked off shortly after. Still, Venable said he’s starting to figure things out in the majors.

“He’s learning how he’s being attacked,” Venable said. “He’s so consistent in his approach and his attitude towards these at-bats and this opportunity. Part of that is making adjustments, and he’s doing a nice job of that.”

Venable said Montgomery, who had two homers in his first 21 games, still has more to unlock.

“There’s some damage in there on some heaters that I think you’ll see from him pulling the ball in the air,” Venable said. “But he’s just so disciplined in his approach that I think that might take a little time.”

Pereira still feeling symptoms

Outfielder Everson Pereira, who’s recovering from a concussion he suffered slamming into the wall June 17 at Yankee Stadium, said he has felt better in the last couple of days. But Venable said he still needs more time before returning.

“Just continuing to ramp up the activities without the symptoms,” Venable said. “That’s the big thing. When he’s having more intense activity and still feeling the symptoms, you have to press pause.”